This is What Chicago Deserves to Sound Like

Chicago Public Media broke my heart this month. On April 3rd, it was announced that CPM would be discontinuing the broadcast of Vocalo radio, in addition to scaling back WBEZ’s podcast division. Along with thousands of other avid listeners, I will sadly and angrily be mourning the loss of, quite literally, my favorite radio station in the world. I could use this blog to rant and rave about capitalism causing the destruction of art, representation in media, and community (being honest, I can’t tell this story without at least little bit of that sprinkled in), but I think it’s more important to share my love for the incredibly authentic and unique radio station that changed my life.

Vocalo launched in 2007 after splitting from its simulcast with WBEZ—Chicago’s NPR Station. The aim was to reflect the sound, culture and conversation of the real Chicago and bring in a younger, more diverse audience—a goal reflected in its staff, guests, and on the radio waves. Vocalo Radio 91.1FM became known as ‘Chicago’s Urban Alternative,’ becoming the first 24/7 non-profit radio station that focused on R&B, Hip Hop, Jazz, and independent music.

I discovered Vocalo in 2009 when I fell head-first into the Chicago music scene. The rise of the blog era allowed an entire generation of phenomenal rising artists to reach farther than ever before. Radio, however, had always been reserved for the major players—that is, until Vocalo.

Vocalo filled the void that was missing from commercial FM radio stations. It wasn’t the same regurgitated playlist of the same 20 songs day in and day out, and it wasn’t filled with commercials and gossip shows and celebrities. Vocalo reflected the heart of Chicago, its music, and its cultural and social movements. The DJs were true music lovers, passionate about their work, and so, so kind. Vocalo not only filled their 24/7 broadcast with local, independent music, but also with community activists, authors, poets, and creatives. Vocalo made artists feel heard, feel seen, feel appreciated, feel respected, feel loved. The dream of so many artists is to hear their music on the radio—Vocalo made those dreams come true.

From Hip Hop to Jazz to Indie Rock to Soul to R&B to Funk to Drill to Alternative to Latin music, Vocalo had a little something for everyone. They brought attention to important cultural movements in Chicago, the spotlighted artists who didn’t have label support, and most importantly, they just made you feel GOOD. No matter if I was listening in the car, at a Vocalo event, or in the studio for an on-air interview about one of my projects, I always had the absolute best time.

Since the news broke, hundreds of people have taken to the internet to share their favorite Vocalo photos and stories and memories. In reading all these posts, I realized that my deep love and admiration for Vocalo are universally shared within the Chicago community. I firmly believe that if you aren’t a fan of Vocalo, it’s simply because you haven’t tuned in. And that’s what’s so heartbreaking—so many new artists and listeners will never experience this perfect utopia of a radio station, so many diverse voices will not be heard, all because this non-profit radio station didn’t bring in enough money??

What upsets me the most is the fact that it was promised at the end of last year that there would be no layoffs—14 phenomenal people have lost their jobs. Why is a lame-duck CEO allowed to make this decision when leadership is in flux? And why are people and programing facing cuts when this lame-duck CEO took a 19% pay increase in 2023, resulting in a salary of $633,310? (Yes, it is time for my sprinkle of rage).

Making things worse, the elimination of Vocalo and extreme scaling back of the WBEZ podcast division contradicts Chicago Public Media’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as their programming represents WBEZ’s most diverse staff and listener base. What kind of world have we built where art and music can no longer exist for the sake of art and music? Yes, yes, we live in a capitalist society (and I said I wouldn’t rant), but what kind of society will be left if all the CEOs keep taking pay bumps while the independent radio stations die?

On May 1st, Vocalo will be switching to website and app streaming with limited staff and programming. We can cross our fingers that the future CEO will be one who believes in funding art for the sake of art—instead of lining their pockets. My hope is that with enough community engagement, Vocalo will continue to be “the soundtrack that amplifies our city and makes you say and feel—this is what Chicago sounds like.”

Check out Vocalo’s website to download their app (www.vocalo.org/app), and find their web player at www.vocalo.org/player